PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stumpy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ciarain Murtagh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murtagh has chosen Foggy Dew as his entrance music. Stumpy Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Murtagh

175 cm
30
148 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

186 cm
25
154 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stumpy Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ciarain Murtagh!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murtagh clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Murtagh is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Murtagh tries to score a body lock takedown but Johnson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Johnson has Murtagh pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Murtagh manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Murtagh gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Murtagh trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson's coaches at The Factory have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Murtagh stalling away here and it's allowed Johnson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Murtagh trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murtagh connects with a couple of short punches.
Murtagh forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson gets full guard.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Murtagh stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Murtagh throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Murtagh is pushing down on Johnson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Johnson is fighting to maintain full guard but Murtagh has managed to sneak the leg through.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Murtagh landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Murtagh trying to control from Johnson's half guard. Johnson has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Murtagh defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Murtagh is working Johnson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Murtagh landing some decent shots from guard.
Murtagh throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Murtagh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Murtagh must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Murtagh trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murtagh lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murtagh controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murtagh doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Johnson is tightening it up a little... Murtagh has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Murtagh reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Murtagh taps out! Nice BJJ there by Johnson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Stumpy Johnson!
Stumpy Johnson managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, BlackStar Athletics , into his post fight interview.